महत्सोपाश्रयं भेजे रावणः परमासनम्। ततः शशासेश्वरवद्दूताँल्लघुपराक्रमान्
Rāvaṇa took that supreme throne, with a great footrest; then, like a lord, he commanded his swift and valiant messengers.
समानयत मे क्षिप्रमिहैतान् राक्षसानिति। कृत्यमस्ति महज्जाने कर्तव्यमिति शत्रुभिः
"Quickly bring those Rākṣasas here to me!" he said. "I know there is a great task to be done concerning the enemies."
राक्षसास्तद्वचः श्रुत्वा लङ्कायां परिचक्रमुः। अनुगेहमवस्थाय विहारशयनेषु च। उद्यानेषु च रक्षांसि चोदयन्तो ह्यभीतवत्
Hearing those words, the Rākṣasas moved about in Laṅkā, going from house to house, in pleasure-rooms and sleeping chambers, and in gardens, urging the Rākṣasas without fear.
ते रथान्तचरा एके दृप्तानेके दृढान् हयान्। नागानेकेऽधिरुरुहुर्जग्मुश्चैके पदातयः
Some mounted chariots, others, proud and strong, mounted horses; some ascended elephants, while others went on foot.
सा पुरी परमाकीर्णा रथकुञ्जरवाजिभिः। सम्पतद्भिर्विरुरुचे गरुत्मद्भिरिवाम्बरम्
That city, filled to the utmost with chariots, elephants, and horses rushing about, shone like the sky crowded with Garuḍas.
ते वाहनान्यवस्थाय यानानि विविधानि च। सभां पद्भिः प्रविविशुः सिंहा गिरिगुहामिव
Leaving their vehicles and various conveyances, they entered the assembly hall on foot, like lions entering a mountain cave.
राज्ञः पादौ गृहीत्वा तु राज्ञा ते प्रतिपूजिताः। पीठेष्वन्ये बृसीष्वन्ये भूमौ केचिदुपाविशन्
Having touched the king's feet, and honored by the king, some sat on seats, others on benches, and some sat upon the ground.
ते समेत्य सभायां वै राक्षसा राजशासनात्। यथार्हमुपतस्थुस्ते रावणं राक्षसाधिपम्
Those rākṣasas, having assembled in the council by the king’s command, approached Rāvaṇa, lord of the rākṣasas, and honored him as was fitting.
मन्त्रिणश्च यथामुख्या निश्चितार्थेषु पण्डिताः। अमात्याश्च गुणोपेताः सर्वज्ञा बुद्धिदर्शनाः
The foremost ministers, learned in decisive matters, and counselors endowed with virtues, all-knowing and insightful, were also present.
समीयुस्तत्र शतशः शूराश्च बहवस्तथा। सभायां हेमवर्णायां सर्वार्थस्य सुखाय वै
There gathered hundreds of heroes as well, in the golden-hued assembly hall, for the comfort of all affairs.
ततो महात्मा विपुलं सुयुग्यं रथं वरं हेमविचित्रिताङ्गम्। शुभं समास्थाय ययौ यशस्वी विभीषणः संसदमग्रजस्य
Then the illustrious Vibhīṣaṇa, great-souled and renowned, mounted a splendid chariot, broad and well-yoked, adorned with gold, and went to the assembly of his elder brother.
स पूर्वजायावरजः शशंस नामाथ पश्चाच्चरणौ ववन्दे। शुकः प्रहस्तश्च तथैव तेभ्यो ददौ यथार्हं पृथगासनानि
He, accompanied by his elder and younger wives, announced his name and then bowed at their feet; Śuka and Prahasta likewise, to them, gave separate seats as appropriate.
सुवर्णनानामणिभूषणानां सुवाससां संसदि राक्षसानाम्। तेषां परार्घ्यागुरुचन्दनानां स्रजां च गन्धाः प्रववुः समन्तात्
In that assembly of rākṣasas, adorned with gold and various jewels, wearing fine garments, the fragrances of precious aloes and sandalwood, and garlands of highest worth, spread all around.
न चुक्रुशुर्नानृतमाह कश्चित् सभासदो नापि जजल्पुरुच्चैः। संसिद्धार्थाः सर्व एवोग्रवीर्या भर्तुः सर्वे ददृशुश्चाननं ते
No one in the assembly uttered falsehood, nor did anyone speak loudly; all were accomplished in their aims, of great might, and they all gazed upon their lord’s face.
स रावणः शस्त्रभृतां मनस्विनां महाबलानां समितौ मनस्वी। तस्यां सभायां प्रभया चकाशे मध्ये वसूनामिव वज्रहस्तः
There, Rāvaṇa, resolute among bearers of arms and mighty warriors, shone in that assembly by his radiance, like Indra with the thunderbolt among the Vasus.
thumb|द्वादशः सर्गः श्रूयताम्|center श्रीमद्वाल्मीकियरामायणे युद्धकाण्डे द्वादशः सर्गः ॥६-
Hear now the twelfth sarga.
स तां परिषदं कृत्स्नां समीक्ष्य समितिंजयः। प्रचोदयामास तदा प्रहस्तं वाहिनीपतिम्
He, the conqueror in battle, surveying the entire assembly, then urged Prahasta, the commander of the army.
सेनापते यथा ते स्युः कृतविद्याश्चतुर्विधाः। योधा नगररक्षायां तथा व्यादेष्टुमर्हसि
O general, you should assign those skilled in the fourfold arts of war as defenders of the city.
स प्रहस्तः प्रणीतात्मा चिकीर्षन् राजशासनम्। विनिक्षिपद् बलं सर्वं बहिरन्तश्च मन्दिरे
Prahasta, self-controlled and intent on carrying out the king’s command, stationed the entire force both outside and inside the palace.
ततो विनिक्षिप्य बलं सर्वं नगरगुप्तये। प्रहस्तः प्रमुखे राज्ञो निषसाद जगाद च
Then, having stationed all the troops for the city’s protection, Prahasta sat before the king and spoke.
विहितं बहिरन्तश्च बलं बलवतस्तव। कुरुष्वाविमनाः क्षिप्रं यदभिप्रेतमस्ति ते
The forces, both outside and inside, have been deployed as you commanded; now, without hesitation, quickly do whatever you intend.
प्रहस्तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा राजा राज्यहितैषिणः। सुखेप्सुः सुहृदां मध्ये व्याजहार स रावणः
Hearing Prahasta’s words, the king, wishing for the welfare of the kingdom and the happiness of his friends, spoke among his well-wishers—he, Rāvaṇa.
प्रियाप्रिये सुखे दुःखे लाभालाभे हिताहिते। धर्मकामार्थकृच्छ्रेषु यूयमर्हथ वेदितुम्
In matters pleasant and unpleasant, happiness and sorrow, gain and loss, benefit and harm, and in the hardships of duty, desire, and wealth, you are fit to know.
सर्वकृत्यानि युष्माभिः समारब्धानि सर्वदा। मन्त्रकर्मनियुक्तानि न जातु विफलानि मे
All tasks have always been undertaken by you, with proper counsel and action, and have never failed me.
ससोमग्रहनक्षत्रैर्मरुद्भिरिव वासवः। भवद्भिरहमत्यर्थं वृतः श्रियमवाप्नुयाम्
Surrounded by you, as Indra is by the moon, planets, stars, and winds, I would surely attain prosperity.
अहं तु खलु सर्वान् वः समर्थयितुमुद्यतः। कुम्भकर्णस्य तु स्वप्नान् नेममर्थमचोदयम्
I myself have indeed arisen to support all of you; but regarding Kumbhakarṇa's dreams, I did not urge this matter.
अयं हि सुप्तः षण्मासान् कुम्भकर्णो महाबलः। सर्वशस्त्रभृतां मुख्यः स इदानीं समुत्थितः
This Kumbhakarṇa, of immense strength, has slept for six months; he is foremost among all wielders of weapons, and now he has awakened.
सा मे न शय्यामारोढुमिच्छत्यलसगामिनी। त्रिषु लोकेषु चान्या मे न सीतासदृशी तथा
That languid-moving woman does not wish to ascend my bed; and in all three worlds, there is no other woman equal to Sītā for me.
तनुमध्या पृथुश्रोणी शरदिन्दुनिभानना। हेमबिम्बनिभा सौम्या मायेव मयनिर्मिता
Slender-waisted, broad-hipped, with a face like the autumn moon, gentle as gold, she seems as if crafted by Māya himself.
सुलोहिततलौ श्लक्ष्णौ चरणौ सुप्रतिष्ठितौ। दृष्ट्वा ताम्रनखौ तस्या दीप्यते मे शरीरजः
Her feet are beautifully formed, smooth, and firmly set, with bright red soles; seeing her coppery nails, my bodily passion flares.